About Us

The East Coast Panthers is an Elite Basketball Organization that takes extreme pride in fostering growth for tomorrow’s future athlete. Established in 2011, we have been providing our rising basketball stars the discipline they need, the recognition they want, and the fun they deserve. Our highly skilled instructors teach the techniques needed to see big time results for your son or daughter.

Chris DiCintio

President & Founder

Chris DiCintio is the founder and President of The East Coast Panthers. DiCintio has been involved with high school basketball for over twenty years. Currently, he is the Varsity Boy’s Coach at Somers High School in Somers, New York.

In 2015, he has taken Somers, an afterthought in Section 1 basketball, to a Final Four at the Westchester County Center for the first time in over two decades. With double digit winning season in the last four out of five years, DiCintio has clearly established Somers as an annual contender in Section 1 - Class A, one of the most competitive sections in NY State. Read More

Darryl Atkinson

Vice President

Darryl Atkinson has been involved in high school and college basketball for twenty years and has worked, coached, and help develop players who are or have played professionally and at the highest levels of NCAA basketball.

As the Associate Head Coach at Somers High School, he has helped take the Somers program to new heights. With a Final Four appearance and three trips to the Quarterfinals in the past five years, Atkinson has helped establish Somers as an annual contender in Section 1 - Class A. Read More

Larry Rheingold

Director of Athletic Events

Larry Rheingold has been coaching for the better part of 25 years. For the past two seasons Rheingold has been the Asst. Men’s Coach at Concordia College.

Previously, Rheingold was the asst. Varsity basketball coach at Croton Harmon High School. Additionally, Rheingold has been involved in youth basketball as well. Rheingold started his coaching career working with troubled youths in 7th and 8th grade. He has coached various age groups in AAU for the past 7 years. Read More

Lou DeMello

Director of Basketball Operations

Lou DeMello is an energetic, motivated and extremely knowledgeable Athletic Director and Basketball Coach/Trainer for nearly 30 years.

Coach DeMello comes to the East Coast Panthers as the Head of its Basketball Operations focusing on developing the Panthers throughout Westchester County. Lou brings years of experience at his profession being the former Athletic Director for the Brewster Sports Center in Brewster, NY and the House of Sports in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Read More

Liz Martinez

Office Manager

Liz Martinez is the office manager for the East Coast Panthers since 2016. She handles communications, billing, planning and registration for the organization. Liz was born and raised in Westchester, NY; Graduating from Maria Regina H.S, in Hartsdale and from SUNY College in Purchase, NY with a Bachelor of Arts. She has worked in retail for a decade which has given her the opportunity to deal in customer service and an appreciation to help people. When she is not working hard the East Coast Panthers, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family. Read More